Energy / Voar expands into Norway through merger with Inkster Marine
A LERWICK based consultancy and engineering services company is expanding its reach and expertise by merging with a Norwegian counterpart specialising in clean marine fuel systems.
Voar Energy confirmed on Wednesday that Inkster Marine AS has now become a Voar group company.
Managing director Daniel Gear said the merger will strengthen Voar’s service offer as well as its geographic reach.
“Over the last year Voar has been increasingly active in offshore renewables, hydrogen and clean fuel vessel construction, including work in the UK, Norway and South America,” Gear said.
“Inkster Marine bring onboard deep technical expertise in clean marine fuels.
“Through this merger, we are now in a position to provide technical safety expertise directly to ship designers, ship owners and shipyards, across all stages of newbuild vessel projects and for the associated shoreside facilities.”
Inkster Marine founder Richard Inkster said his firm had been focusing on the shift in marine fuels since its inception in 2016.
“Our success in the sector has been built on taking prior experience in LNG and novel system design and commissioning, and applying it to the fuels of the future: hydrogen, methanol and other alternative fuels.”
Inkster said the transition away from fossil fuels to those produced by renewables was well under way and vessel owners were selecting fuel types according to vessel duty cycles, fuel availability and the long-term economic case, which can include government support or incentives.
“Our strategy is to enable our clients to upskill in a constantly changing regulatory environment, including guiding them through the process of flag state and class approvals,” he added.
“We are also contributing to the development of new industry regulations and guidance and supporting the development of associated onshore production and bunkering infrastructure.
“By working closely with ship designers, ship owners, shipyards, we are proving that we can take these new vessels from the drawing board, through build and commissioning and into the water.
“Some clients are commissioning us to future-proof traditionally fuelled vessels, enabling a switch to clean fuels such as methanol as soon as the economics stack up.”
“This merger means that Inkster Marine team joins a broader Voar team working across offshore renewables, hydrogen and clean marine fuel projects. We are looking forward to growing into new markets and playing our part in the maritime energy transition.”
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